Verenkleed

Verenkleed is a Dutch term for a garment or mantle decorated with feathers. Historically, verenkleed described any clothing item adorned with plumage, and in many cultures it served ceremonial or symbolic purposes, indicating status, lineage, or spiritual protection.

Construction and design: Cloaks, capes or tunics may be constructed by attaching feathers to a woven or fabric base, or to a netting substrate. Feathers from various birds provide color and pattern, with arrangements ranging from simple borders to full-body cloaks. In many traditions featherwork required long, skilled crafting, with feathers tied, woven, or stitched to the base.

Cultural contexts: In Polynesia and Oceania, feather cloaks and capes—such as the Maori korowai and the Hawaiian ahu’ula (feather cape)—were worn by chiefs and high-status individuals. The korowai typically uses long feathers attached to flax fibers, while the ahu’ula employed thousands of feathers from native birds to signify rank and lineage. Similar practices appear in other regions, where bright plumage conveyed power and spiritual connection.

Modern use: Today verenkleed appears in ethnographic collections, museums, and in some contemporary ceremonial or fashion contexts, with attention to ethical sourcing and conservation concerns.

See also: Korowai, Ahu’ula, Featherwork.